Tuesday, August 1, 2017

There Are Very Few Black-Owned Beauty Supply Stores, But This One is Celebrating 30 Years in Business!

Rebecca Opong, founder of African Image Beauty Supply Salon

Rebecca Opong is the founder and owner of African Image Beauty Supply Salon (AIBSS) located in the Los Angeles, California area. She opened her shop back in 1987, and is one of the few Black-owned beauty supply stores in the area. This year, she is celebrating her 30th year in business!
Rebecca, a native of Accra, Ghana (West Africa), first sold African clothing and fabrics at her store. When she saw that there was a demand for hair products for Black women, she got her license in cosmetology and began braiding hair. She also started selling hair and skin care products like 100% Black soap, African shea butter, weaves, and other items that cater to Black women. She even sold African movies!

Not just for the money

Rebecca is in business, not just for the money, but to offer a genuine experience the community can’t receive anywhere else. "Not only is [AIBSS] a Black-owned shop, it’s an African business,” she told the Los Angeles Sentinel. And she is proud to be part of her community and intends to remain in the community for years to come.

She is also a good example of a successful black, female entrepreneur to her daughter, Narkie, who supports her mother's efforts by helping her as much as she can. Narkie explains, "I think it’s great not only for the community, but for the culture.”

So, what's next?

Rebecca says she wants to expand her beauty supply business across other parts of California and even beyond. In the meantime, she has the love and support of her family and the community as she celebrates three decades in business.